What a day, Henry! Sorry not to have shared it with you, but delighted to be able to catch up here. I read the Volcano just over a year ago and found it similarly intoxicating. I can't recall all the details, but the atmosphere still feels utterly vivid.
It took me a week, instead of a day, but I finished! It was good for me to have the commitment to propel me through this. I am not sure that I would have stuck to it.
During chapter 10 I reread chapter 1 and found it easier going the second time, so maybe there’s a reread in my future. I am definitely putting the movie on my list.
This is so wonderful, Henry, how you kept up with the booze I don't know, but what an experience you had. I'm sorry I wasn't able to join you but that's because I didn't have a copy of the book. I shall look for it in the English library in Cuernavaca, where I live, and read it with determination.
Of course, Lowry described a Cuernavaca that really doesn't exist any more, although there are spots and places that take you back to how it used to be.
Have you ever heard of Rosa King and her escape from the centre of Cuernavaca as Zapata and the revolutionaries closed in? She was quite a character. It's available on line as a pdf, she was not a good writer I have to say, but her trials and tribulations are interesting. Torment over Mexico, I think it's called.
Thank you for your insights and keeping up with the booze!
Yes, some of the town names are definitely not in Morelos but more likely to be in Oaxaca. But most of all Oaxaca is famous for mescal... It's become fashionable to drink nowadays and there are loads of different brands everywhere, but in Lowry's time it would only have been available in Oaxaca, I think so anyway.
There is a hotel here called Bajo el Volcan, not a very original name but Lowry's book has a lasting presence here.
Henry, what a blast. Your notes are a joy to read. I didn’t get to read along with you this time, but I purchased a copy of Under the Volcano and am excited to read it! Will have to sip a little mezcal as well.
Ah, one of my favourite books. I'm so gutted to have missed this. Hope everyone had a great time. I think the idea of a day-long read-along is inspired. Right, that's 2 Nov, 2025 sorted!
Sorry to miss you Ben - but perhaps we can rerun it! We’re going to do a 100th anniversary day-long read-along of Mrs Dalloway this June, if that’s of interest . . .
What a day, Henry! Sorry not to have shared it with you, but delighted to be able to catch up here. I read the Volcano just over a year ago and found it similarly intoxicating. I can't recall all the details, but the atmosphere still feels utterly vivid.
Amazing! Yes I can imagine that distinctive atmosphere is going to linger for a while . . .
Brilliant, you do this so well Henry, very impressive 👏
It took me a week, instead of a day, but I finished! It was good for me to have the commitment to propel me through this. I am not sure that I would have stuck to it.
During chapter 10 I reread chapter 1 and found it easier going the second time, so maybe there’s a reread in my future. I am definitely putting the movie on my list.
Thanks for serving as our guide!
Well done! Great work – I'm looking forward to rereading already . . . Let me know what you think of the movie!
This is so wonderful, Henry, how you kept up with the booze I don't know, but what an experience you had. I'm sorry I wasn't able to join you but that's because I didn't have a copy of the book. I shall look for it in the English library in Cuernavaca, where I live, and read it with determination.
Of course, Lowry described a Cuernavaca that really doesn't exist any more, although there are spots and places that take you back to how it used to be.
Have you ever heard of Rosa King and her escape from the centre of Cuernavaca as Zapata and the revolutionaries closed in? She was quite a character. It's available on line as a pdf, she was not a good writer I have to say, but her trials and tribulations are interesting. Torment over Mexico, I think it's called.
Thank you for your insights and keeping up with the booze!
Rosalind! How amazing that you're in Cuernavaca!! You're reporting from the front line!
I've heard that the town in Lowry's novel is something of a blend of Cuernavaca and Oaxaca: https://www.otago.ac.nz/english-linguistics/english/lowry/content/02_locations/f_oaxaca/02_f_location_oaxaca.html Does that ring true?
And thank you for the Rosa King recommendation! It sounds fascinating. I hope you managed to avoid the 'INFERNAL MACHINE' last Saturday!
Yes, some of the town names are definitely not in Morelos but more likely to be in Oaxaca. But most of all Oaxaca is famous for mescal... It's become fashionable to drink nowadays and there are loads of different brands everywhere, but in Lowry's time it would only have been available in Oaxaca, I think so anyway.
There is a hotel here called Bajo el Volcan, not a very original name but Lowry's book has a lasting presence here.
I am shamelessly going to point you in the direction of a post of mine, ref Rosa King: https://roscordy2.substack.com/p/the-heart-of-cuernavaca
Henry, what a blast. Your notes are a joy to read. I didn’t get to read along with you this time, but I purchased a copy of Under the Volcano and am excited to read it! Will have to sip a little mezcal as well.
It's smoky and delicious!
Ah, one of my favourite books. I'm so gutted to have missed this. Hope everyone had a great time. I think the idea of a day-long read-along is inspired. Right, that's 2 Nov, 2025 sorted!
Sorry to miss you Ben - but perhaps we can rerun it! We’re going to do a 100th anniversary day-long read-along of Mrs Dalloway this June, if that’s of interest . . .
Thanks Henry. That sounds great. Big Woolf fan. I'm also planning to join you for Persuasion in Feb!